Fixed-Rate Mortgages Drop to New Record Lows of 3.49 Percent

Freddie Mac has released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), showing fixed mortgages rates continuing their streak of record-breaking lows as the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.49 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending July 26, 2012, down from last week when it averaged 3.53 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.55 percent. The 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.80 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.83 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.66 percent. "Market concerns over the strength of the economic recovery brought long-term Treasury yields to new lows this week allowing fixed mortgage rates to reach record levels," said Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist of Freddie Mac. "The Conference Board Leading Economic Index showed the largest monthly decline in June since September 2011. Existing home sales fell to 4.36 million homes (annualized) in June and represented the slowest pace since October 2011. Similarly, new home sales fell in June to their lowest level since January of this year." The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.74 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.69 percent. A year ago, the five-year ARM averaged 3.25 percent. The one-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.71 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.69 percent. At this time last year, the one-year ARM averaged 2.95 percent.